UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

DEPARTMENT: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

DIRECTORATE: INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

Linux Systems Engineer

(Ref ICT Infra/Lin Syst Engin/P6/June11/st)

The incumbent will be responsible for the Management of the UNISA High Performance Computing Cluster (HPC or super computer) infrastructure as well as all other Linux Server environments for the Unisa research community, Post Graduate PhD and Doctoral research students, and the:

ü Planning, setup and maintenance of UNISA’s High Performance Computing (HPC)  facilities, including Clustering Software installation, tuning and maintenance and ensuring maximum/optimal performance, up-time and usage of the system

ü Research to develop and maintain best practice in High Performance Computing

ü Maintenance of UNISA’s research Linux Server facilities

ü Planning and set up of new Linux Server facilities

ü Facilitation of users' access or denial of UNISA’s research Linux Server facilities

ü Remote monitoring of UNISA’s research Linux Server facilities to ensure optimal functioning

ü Research into new technologies available to researchers by using the internet, attending training courses and conferences locally and abroad

ü Facilitation of E-Training of UNISA personnel in the use of High Performance Computing,

Infrastructure and associated software environments, as well as Linux operating systems, and the

ü Set up of a backup strategy.

Requirements

· Relevant Three-year Tertiary qualification in Information Technology

· Five years experience in Redhat LINUX system administration  plus  one- year experience in the administration of Hewlett Packard XC LINUX high performance parallel computing systems

· Extensive knowledge of the various LINUX and UNIX system architectures

· Knowledge of system scripting and programming skills (Perl, Shell script and Python) as well as Linux server installation, configuration and setup of application software and Systems utilities

· Must be an analytical and innovative thinker with strong problem-solving skills

· Must be able to work under pressure, independently as well as in a team

· Good interpersonal and communication skills with all stakeholders

· Ability to extended working hours and be available 24/7 for standby to do system maintenance remotely or on site

· Must be willing to travel locally and abroad

Duties

· Assist in the implementation of Governance and strategic initiatives

· Provide Systems support and Administration

· Conduct research and development

· Stay abreast of current developments in High Performance Computing  skills,             tools, software, operating systems, and other developments, and their implementation at UNISA

· Provide support to Researchers and Programmers

Assumption of duty:    As soon as possible.

Salary:                           Remuneration is commensurate with the seniority of the position

Closing date:                 1 July 2011

Enquiries:                    (012) 429-4972 (Directorate: HR Staffing & Client Services: Ms S Thaver)

(012) 429-6668 (Department: ICT: Ms L Ngcingwana)

Any change in conditions of service will only become operative after one calendar month's written notice and will be made in full compliance with the relevant provisions of the Labour Laws.

The prescribed application form must be accompanied by a CV and ORIGINAL certified copies of all educational qualifications and identity document. Submission of such copies entitles Unisa to authenticate the qualifications without any further consent from the applicant. Applications not on the prescribed application form and submitted without ORIGINAL certified copies attached will not be considered. Candidates with foreign qualifications must also submit the South African equivalent of the qualification. These qualifications are evaluated by SAQA. The contact details of three contactable references must be provided, one of which must be from your present employer. Should you currently not be employed, a contactable reference from your previous employer must be provided.

Appointments will be made in accordance with Unisa’s Employment Equity Plan.

  We welcome applications from Persons with Disabilities   

The prescribed application form is obtainable at the counter on the 3rd Floor, OR Tambo Building UNISA, Preller Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria or can be downloaded from  http://www2.unisa.ac.za/vacancies/forms/ApplicFormAdmin_Jul09.doc   on the Internet.

Correspondence will be limited to short‑listed candidates only.  If you have not been contacted within 2 months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was not successful.

(signed)

Mrs P Makanya-Ojowuro

Director: HR: Staffing and Client Services